It has been more than 10 months and a few days since Zimbabwe last played an ODI. Ten months ago, they were handed a drubbing by India before a 2-1 series loss to Pakistan and things, unfortunately, slid further downhill for them. The financial crisis within the board precipitated a player boycott that ate into the domestic season and forced tours to either be cancelled or deferred. The series against Afghanistan was one of the cancelled tours, originally scheduled to be held in January.

As things stand, the current series has many firsts. It is the first bilateral one-day series Afghanistan will play against a Test-playing nation. With the recent announcement of contracts, it will also be the first series where Zimbabwe's players will enjoy a rare financial certainty that was missing for most of last few months. The series against Afghanistan will kick off a season that will see Zimbabwe host South Africa and Australia, before the Bangladesh tour and then the World Cup next year. At a time when most teams are locking down their squads for the World Cup, Zimbabwe are just getting off the blocks in terms of their preparations and have to catch up quickly. Afghanistan are unlikely to make it easy for them.

The diverse bowling attack is easily one of the most impressive aspects of the Afghanistan side and their potential was on display when they beat hosts Bangladesh and troubled Sri Lanka and Pakistan in their maiden Asia Cup appearance. Their inconsistent batting, however, has been a let-down. Asghar Stanikzai and Gulbadin Naib's return may lend heft on paper, but some of that experience needs to show urgently at the crease.

There has been talk that Zimbabwe Cricket may join the league of countries with different captains for different formats and a decision on this is likely to be taken before the South Africa series in August. Brendan Taylor has been the side's wicketkeeper and anchor batsman, and has juggled the leadership role since 2011. Over the last two years, however, his form has dipped. Astute captaincy against Afghanistan and a series win would only work in his favour.

At 17 years old, opening batsman Usman Ghani is the youngest in the Afghanistan squad but has made a quick transition from the Under-19 level to the senior ODI team. In six matches of the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year, he made 128 runs at a strike rate of 92.75 but was far more impressive in the ACC Premier League, where he scored 288 runs in five games. Two of his three fifties in the tournament came in his first two ODIs. He has already scored a fifty in the warm-up game against Zimbabwe A and Afghanistan will look to the youngster to provide a solid start.

Team news

Afghanistan tried out a different opening combination in the two practice games and had also given Dawlat Zadran a rest in the second. They are likely to bring in Noor Ali Zadran and Usman Ghani as openers. Left-arm spinner Sharafuddin Ashraf, who took 6 for 29 in the first warm-up game, could get an ODI debut.

Four members of Afghanistan's current ODI squad - Hashmatullah Shaidi, Nasir Jamal, Sharafuddin Ashraf and Usman Ghani - played in the Under-19 World Cup earlier this year

In 14 games since the start of 2013, Vusi Sibanda has been Zimbabwe's most successful batsman, scoring 432 runs in 13 innings at an average of 36 with three fifties and a hundred

Samiullah Shenwari needs another 63 runs to become the third Afghanistan batsman to score 800 runs in ODIs

Quotes

"They have good balance. Upfront they have good strikers [of the ball]. They also have seam bowlers who have done well with the new ball upfront. And also, every subcontinent country has good quality spinners. We have to respect them in all three departments."Brendan Taylor, the Zimbabwe captain, says his team is not taking Afghanistan lightly

m.nabi did well today he had played a captn inengs for afghanistan and insha allah afghanistan will win

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 18, 2014, 9:46 GMT

M Nabi is playing impressive innings but Afg team can't make big score, they will make respectable score Afg players should accelerate their strike rate in last 5 ovrs and as much as possible they make more runs.

POSTED BY
on | July 18, 2014, 8:58 GMT

I am proud of afghanistan cricket team and inshallah afghanistan will be win this gam from zimbabwe

POSTED BY
wapuser
on | July 18, 2014, 8:37 GMT

Afghanistan need to play cricket rather than fighting for survival... Noor Ali has the key for putting a respectable total...

POSTED BY
bibimas
on | July 18, 2014, 8:13 GMT

Zim all the way...... Afghanistan will not win this one

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | July 18, 2014, 7:14 GMT

Salaam to all Afghanistan fans
We know Afghanistan is better team if Afghanistan draw or level the series that is great achievement
good luck Afghanistan .......

POSTED BY
sohanpandey578
on | July 18, 2014, 5:57 GMT

Hashmatullah Shaidi should open. He is most talented in AFG

POSTED BY
DauD_
on | July 18, 2014, 5:51 GMT

I'm a huge fan of the Afghanistan cricket team, but this will undoubtedly be a tough tour for them. Zimbabwe are a tough nation to beat at home, and are definitely the favourites coming into the series. However, Afghanistan are a talented side and do have the potential to play some good cricket. Who knows they may be able to pull off an upset or two in the series, and dare I say maybe even have a chance of winning/drawing the series.

Good luck to both teams.

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 18, 2014, 4:47 GMT

we will win our first series inshallah!

POSTED BY
on | July 18, 2014, 3:59 GMT

as we know afghanistan is amazing team have so best new players like usman ghani sharafudin ashraf hashmatullah shaidi inshallah theay will play better and i think when they have this series in asia zimbabwe will never win any match

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 18, 2014, 10:55 GMT

m.nabi did well today he had played a captn inengs for afghanistan and insha allah afghanistan will win

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 18, 2014, 9:46 GMT

M Nabi is playing impressive innings but Afg team can't make big score, they will make respectable score Afg players should accelerate their strike rate in last 5 ovrs and as much as possible they make more runs.

POSTED BY
on | July 18, 2014, 8:58 GMT

I am proud of afghanistan cricket team and inshallah afghanistan will be win this gam from zimbabwe

POSTED BY
wapuser
on | July 18, 2014, 8:37 GMT

Afghanistan need to play cricket rather than fighting for survival... Noor Ali has the key for putting a respectable total...

POSTED BY
bibimas
on | July 18, 2014, 8:13 GMT

Zim all the way...... Afghanistan will not win this one

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | July 18, 2014, 7:14 GMT

Salaam to all Afghanistan fans
We know Afghanistan is better team if Afghanistan draw or level the series that is great achievement
good luck Afghanistan .......

POSTED BY
sohanpandey578
on | July 18, 2014, 5:57 GMT

Hashmatullah Shaidi should open. He is most talented in AFG

POSTED BY
DauD_
on | July 18, 2014, 5:51 GMT

I'm a huge fan of the Afghanistan cricket team, but this will undoubtedly be a tough tour for them. Zimbabwe are a tough nation to beat at home, and are definitely the favourites coming into the series. However, Afghanistan are a talented side and do have the potential to play some good cricket. Who knows they may be able to pull off an upset or two in the series, and dare I say maybe even have a chance of winning/drawing the series.

Good luck to both teams.

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 18, 2014, 4:47 GMT

we will win our first series inshallah!

POSTED BY
on | July 18, 2014, 3:59 GMT

as we know afghanistan is amazing team have so best new players like usman ghani sharafudin ashraf hashmatullah shaidi inshallah theay will play better and i think when they have this series in asia zimbabwe will never win any match

POSTED BY
wapuser
on | July 18, 2014, 3:42 GMT

This is great chance for Afghanistan in order to get more experience as well as become more popular by wining some games, anyhow good luck Afg Tigers

POSTED BY
Anil_Koshy
on | July 18, 2014, 3:12 GMT

Afghanistan should win this series, Zimbabwe simply does not have the firepower to even challenge Afghanistan.

POSTED BY
Azooz-Afgfan
on | July 18, 2014, 0:38 GMT

With Respect to Zimbabwean team, you can call Afghanistan as an underdogs against teams like Oz, India or SA but it's unknown whose underdogs today. Equal balanced teams so watch out for Usman Ghani. Ol da best Afghanistan. Cheers

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 18, 2014, 0:24 GMT

good luck afg team. inshallah u will do good. and good luck Sinkandar raza u wil do fantastic.

POSTED BY
on | July 17, 2014, 23:40 GMT

hope Afghan wins this series.. best of luck from India

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 17, 2014, 21:10 GMT

which tv show this mech

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 17, 2014, 21:10 GMT

inshalha Afghanistan win this series.
Which tv show this mech

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 17, 2014, 20:02 GMT

wow both are ballance team and i sure series will be very tough for both teams but i respect both teams and just want a good cricket and if afghanistan will win the series so that will he a happy moment for me and for our nation and we all are prey for our team to win the matches and give us a chance of celebration..

POSTED BY
on | July 17, 2014, 19:24 GMT

Salam to all Afghanistan fans Inshaallah afghans team will be win this
first series

POSTED BY
on | July 17, 2014, 18:43 GMT

Wow Afghanistan this is the best chance to show for world what you are, we trust on your talent.... tomorrow is our team day also in next matches ... Zimbabwe take care of our ballers thy are the best.... good luck Zimbabwe

Afg team your all players played that from which they know. and give tough time your opposition tell them don't take us easily.

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | July 17, 2014, 18:09 GMT

We realise that Zimbabwe is a tough team but we trust our team and we hope they will win the series if they work hard.

POSTED BY
ZCFOutkast
on | July 17, 2014, 18:07 GMT

Go Zimbabwe. Keep it up Vusi! Chigumbura is too low at #7. It's time Panyangara is rightly batted at #8 ahead of Utseya. Surely on batting alone Malcolm must be way behind Maruma, Chakabva&Mutumbami. Even Vermeulen, Mutombodzi&Jongwe would fancy their chances ahead ofhim in this format.

Please Afghanistan fans. Do not make the same mistake as Bangladesh fans and put unrealistic expectations on your team. Zimbabwe is a tough team to beat at home - ask India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and South Africa. What makes you think you can rock up and beat Zimbabwe so easily in our back yard? The games may be close, but I don't think you can just win the series so easily. Have a bit of respect for your opposition like Brendan Taylor has (generously) for your team!

POSTED BY
YsaKaru
on | July 17, 2014, 17:11 GMT

congratulation to Afghanistan for their first bilateral series......BEST OF LUCK!!!! from Sri Lanka.

POSTED BY
G_R_Nikmal
on | July 17, 2014, 16:14 GMT

Afghanistan will win the matches, IN SHA ALLAH. Good Luck Afghan Tigers.

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 17, 2014, 15:54 GMT

We will win our first series. victory is our goal

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
android_user
on | July 17, 2014, 15:54 GMT

We will win our first series. victory is our goal

POSTED BY
G_R_Nikmal
on | July 17, 2014, 16:14 GMT

Afghanistan will win the matches, IN SHA ALLAH. Good Luck Afghan Tigers.

POSTED BY
YsaKaru
on | July 17, 2014, 17:11 GMT

congratulation to Afghanistan for their first bilateral series......BEST OF LUCK!!!! from Sri Lanka.

POSTED BY
Nduru
on | July 17, 2014, 17:39 GMT

Please Afghanistan fans. Do not make the same mistake as Bangladesh fans and put unrealistic expectations on your team. Zimbabwe is a tough team to beat at home - ask India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and South Africa. What makes you think you can rock up and beat Zimbabwe so easily in our back yard? The games may be close, but I don't think you can just win the series so easily. Have a bit of respect for your opposition like Brendan Taylor has (generously) for your team!

POSTED BY
ZCFOutkast
on | July 17, 2014, 18:07 GMT

Go Zimbabwe. Keep it up Vusi! Chigumbura is too low at #7. It's time Panyangara is rightly batted at #8 ahead of Utseya. Surely on batting alone Malcolm must be way behind Maruma, Chakabva&Mutumbami. Even Vermeulen, Mutombodzi&Jongwe would fancy their chances ahead ofhim in this format.

Wow Afghanistan this is the best chance to show for world what you are, we trust on your talent.... tomorrow is our team day also in next matches ... Zimbabwe take care of our ballers thy are the best.... good luck Zimbabwe

POSTED BY
on | July 17, 2014, 19:24 GMT

Salam to all Afghanistan fans Inshaallah afghans team will be win this
first series